I’m thrilled and honored to be part of the anthology, Entice Me: Luscious Love Stories, with so many talented authors. My story is Capri Nights, a love story set on Italy’s Isle of Capri. I’ve visited Capri twice, and it is a bewitching and romantic place, perfect for falling in love.
Cat Connors has lived in the shadows of her glamorous stepmother and stepsisters. While visiting Capri, she’s determined to change her life and become her own person. Alex Viteli, scion of a wealthy Italian family, has legal problems that could land him in prison. As they fall in love, Cat and Alex help each other to grow and heal. But is there a chance for lasting happiness between two people who live an ocean apart?
A San Francisco sous chef discovers she might have bitten off more than she can chew when a scrumptious Italian man stirs up a recipe for romance on the delicious Isle of Capri.
Sous chef Cat Connors has spent a lifetime feeling like a stale cracker on a plate of fancy hors d'oeuvres among her stepfamily. But when she travels from San Francisco to the sunny Isle of Capri, she’s determined to finally shed her dowdy image and spice up her life. She has big plans for her future as a chef. Those plans don’t include a yummy Italian with a mouth-watering body and a smile that melts her insides like gelato under the hot Capri sun.
When Alex Viteli retreats to his villa on Capri to escape the notoriety and legal troubles brought on by his family, the last thing he needs is a beautiful, tempting dish of a woman. Alex may be the scion of a wealthy Italian family, but that won’t matter if he can’t cook up a scheme to clear his father’s name and keep himself out of prison.
Though they fit together like strawberries and chocolate, Cat and Alex may not have time for more than a quick bite of romance. Cat’s future is in San Francisco. Alex can’t leave Italy. But the sultry Capri nights might tempt them both to savor just one more sweet taste of love.
Excerpt:
Isle of Capri, Italy
“Mi scusi, signorina! Signorina, scusi!”
The urgent male voice broke into Cat Connors’ thoughts and rose above the babel of languages from the tourists crowding Capri’s main square, La Piazetta. The man’s voice got closer. Her knowledge of Italian was limited, but it sounded like he wanted a woman’s attention. He couldn’t be talking to her. She kept walking.
Someone touched her arm, stopping her.
With a gasp, she turned around. Her gaze collided with a black T-shirt stretched over a hard, muscled chest. Slowly, she raised her eyes to take in six feet of male hotness. He stared down at her with the hazel eyes of a Roman god. He must have descended from the heavens, with those chiseled cheekbones, wavy dark blond hair and full lips that promised heavenly delights. He epitomized the kind of gorgeous guy she’d expect to find on this romantic island.
He held out a phone to her. “Ha perso il suo telefono?”
She felt in her pants pocket. Empty.
“My phone! Thank you. Where did you find it?” Hoping he spoke English, she took the phone from him.
“It fell out of your pocket.” Speaking perfect English, his deep voice with a hint of lilting accent sent a jolt of pleasure coursing through her.
Clutching the phone, she patted her pocket again. The movement of her hips as she walked must have pushed the phone out. She should have known to secure it better. Her eyes met Mr. Roman God’s. “Thank you again.”
His killer grin made her insides melt like gelato in the hot Italian sun.
He shrugged in that offhand way Italians had perfected. “No problem. You are American?”
“I am.”
Someone shoved against her and she almost lost her balance. Mr. Roman God cupped her elbow, steadying her.
“It’s not every day I have the pleasure of meeting a beautiful American,” he said.
Her beautiful? No one except her mother had ever called her that. “Uh—thank you,” she stammered.
“I would like to buy you a glass of wine.” He studied her with those incredible hazel eyes fringed by thick dark lashes.
This smokin’ guy was picking her up in the middle of Capri’s main square? Men rarely hit on studious, quiet Cat Connors. Must be something in the water here.
Anxiety fueled by shyness compelled Cat to say no. If she was ever to become the new Cat, she had to forge ahead and take chances. Forced to come here on this family trip, she’d decided it would be the catalyst she needed to complete her metamorphosis into a new Cat. She’d finally pull free from the shadows of her glamorous stepsisters and be her own person—a woman who no longer tried to please others but lived her own life. A little harmless flirtation with Mr. Roman God would be the perfect place to start. In this square packed with tourists, she’d be safe. She had time before she had to meet Angelina.
“Okay, I’d like to have a drink with you.”
They sat at an outdoor table in a nearby café that fronted the square. Mr. Roman God said something in rapid Italian to the waiter who brought over a bottle of chilled pinot grigio, opened it, and presented the cork to her companion, who sniffed the cork and nodded that the wine was acceptable. The waiter filled two glasses and shoved the opened bottle into an ice-filled bucket on a stand next to them.
When he left, Mr. Hotness leaned his elbow on the table and raised his glass. “My day has become more interesting.”
She touched her glass with his. “To interesting days.”
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About Cara Marsi:
An award-winning and eclectic author, Cara Marsi is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. She loves a good love story, and believes that everyone deserves a second chance at love. Sexy, sweet, thrilling, or magical, Cara’s stories are first and foremost about the love. Treat yourself today, with a taste of romance.
When not traveling or dreaming of traveling, Cara and her husband live on the East Coast in a house ruled by two spoiled cats who compete for attention.
Website: www.caramarsi.com
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Thank you for having me today, Denyse.
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